title: In vitro fertilization and late preterm preschoolers' neuropsychological outcomes: the PETIT study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In vitro fertilization (IVF) is considered a generally safe procedure, although associated with a higher incidence of preterm birth. The literature is inconsistent about the psychological impact of IVF, and we found no reports about outcome in late preterm (LPT) children. Our objective was to study neuropsychological and behavioral outcomes in a cohort of preschoolers born LPT between 2004 and 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 397 LPT children (mean age, 3.8 years) conceived assisted by IVF (n = 105) or non-IVF (n = 292). Standardized performance-based tests of general conceptual ability (intelligence quotient), executive function, focused/selective attention, visual-spatial perception, visual-motor skill, manual dexterity, learning, and memory were administered. Parents completed behavioral and executive function questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IVF group characteristics included older maternal age (P < .001), lower birthweight (P < .001), and higher maternal education (P < .001). No main-effect significant group differences were found for any variable after controlling for these variables. However, sex differences were demonstrated for the neuropsychological variables in copying (P > .001), nonverbal reasoning (P = .001), manual dexterity (P = .001), and inhibitory capacity (P = .006), all favoring girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Birth following IVF-assisted conception did not increase the risk of intellectual, neuropsychological, or behavioral deficit in LPT preschoolers. As shown in earlier gestational-age participants, girls have selective advantages. These findings should be reassuring for parents who conceive through IVF and deliver infants 1-3 weeks before term gestational age. Future study of these children at elementary school age may detect subtle impairments not yet apparent at age 3 years.
authors.affiliation: Fairfax Neonatal Associates, Inova Children's Hospital, Falls Church, VA.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Ida Sue
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: Brandi A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Margot D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ahronovich
authors.forename: Fern R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Litman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010465:Perception; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000523:psychology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance
keywords: assistive reproductive technology; cognitive development; sex difference